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Trail Name: Piper-Whiteface Link
Gilford, NH
Trail Description: Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide. 3rd Edition. 2010. Compiled and Edited by Gene Daniell and Steven D. Smith. Appalachian Mountain Club Books. Boston, MA.
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This Piper-Whiteface Link Trail (blazed green) connects the Whiteface Mountain Trail with Piper Mtn. The footway must be followed with care across the ledges, where it is marked by cairns and faded green blazes. It leaves the Whiteface Mountain Trail on the ridgecrest, 0.7 mi. from the trailhead, and soon begins a steady ascent to the northeast through oak woods. Higher up it crosses semi-open ledges with some views to the south. At 0.5 mi., at the top of a large sloping ledge, there is an excellent outlook south and west. The trail climbs a short distance farther, then bears right into conifers and at 0.6 mi., shortly before reaching the open south end of the Piper summit ridge, reaches a posted junction where the Vista Trail diverges sharply right. The Piper-Whiteface Link bears left, then shortly right across a ledgy area with views of BelknapMtn. and out to the east. The trail winds across ledges and through scrub along the nearly level ridge; follow cairns carefully, as there are many paths created by blueberry pickers. At 0.8 mi. the trail emerges in a large open ledgy area and crosses it to reach two rock thrones on the north summit of PiperMtn. Here the orange-blazed Old Piper Trail leaves north and the red-blazed Piper Mountain Trail descends northwest.
Distances from Whiteface Mountain Trail junction (1,510 ft.) to:
- Vista Trail junction (2,010 ft.): 0.6 mi. (1 km.), 500 ft., 35 min.
- North summit of Piper Mtn. (2,030 ft.): 0.8 mi. (1.3 km.), 500 ft., 40 min.